The Iowa Life... 

So, I have been well and truly ‘trash’ at writing on my blog recently.  But good news! (or bad 

news depending on your preference of this)  I’m back on it like a car bonnet, as my geordie 

friends would say.  I am actually proud of my excuses for not posting anything as they 

include galavanting to Chicago, gettin’ low to T-Pain (yes, I am half a gangsta now) and 

seeing President Obama. From about 10 metres away. Yes, the ACTUAL President of the 

United States.  He practically high fived me.  Well not really, but I still have the allowance of 

about a year to brag about this. 

OBAMA! Four more years please!

ANYWAY it’s been 1 month, yes ONE WHOLE QUARTER of my time here has passed.  So I 

feel like I am allowed and almost obliged to make at least a few judgements/observances 

about the American, and more specifically, Iowan life.

I was pretty sure that before I came to the U.S. that culture shock would not be on my 

agenda.  I sat back with a smug grin on my face in orientation when we were having talks on 

how ‘shocking’ the Americans could turn out to be. Pfft, I’ve lived up ‘ull for 2 years of my life, 

I thought, surely the shocking things of Hull (which I like to call ‘the charm of Hull’) have 

eased me into any sort of behaviour that could be considered ‘surprising to one’s nature’?!

But, yes, to some degree I have experienced the dreaded culture shock.  Here are my top 

shockers...

Grinding. Even the name of this dance is horrific.  

So, my roommates and I decided last minute to go to a U.V., glow in the dark party (also 

code for not-wear-much party) at a bar downtown.  As soon as we got in (fully equipped with 

an under 21 wristband, boo!) we headed for the dance floor.  On the floor, ready to throw my 

normal/wacky moves out there into the Iowa atmosphere, I heard “d’ya wanna dance?” 

behind me.  Then I realised that every student of Iowa was paired up in an instant to partake 

in some very hands-on grinding.  Needless to say, I was NOT ready for this.  I kindly 

declined the random guy, feeling that it was way too early on in our 2 second relationship to 

dive into this grinding/groping business - things were moving too fast.  Everyone else didn’t 

see this and I realised that this was total normal behaviour. I preceded to partner our gay 

friend and teach him some totally uncool British shapes.

Workload.  From grinding to...school work. Sorry about the juxtaposition.

There is a lot more school work here than in the U.K., or than in Hull at least. A LOT more. 

The Americans seem to have a greater sense of their progress at uni and really want to 

make a good impression on their prof.  Unlike at home, I haven’t missed a class yet (this is 

not counting missing class to see Obama, which is an amazing excuse if I ever saw one!).  

Not only this, but most students, my roommates included, have to balance this with a job.  

And I’m not just talking about a small Saturday job.  I’m struggling - I have no idea how they 

cope!  But my work-ethic has gone American and I’m glad about it. 

Books for just 2 of my classes

Lifestyle.  Eat lots of crap, then work out.

I’m sure nearly everyone’s  image of the american lifestyle includes fried chicken, 

McDonald’s and a whole lot of ‘chunky’ people.  Iowa has wiped that slate clean for me - 

everyone is so damn athletic! I feel that the culture here is eat what you like, in the form of 

VERY unhealthy fast food including pizza rolls, grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers 

washed down with a distinct lack of water and THEN work out.  For a long time.  Everyday.  

I’m sure it can’t be good for you, but most people in Iowa are lookin’ goooood. 

Fashion. This has baffled me.

The University of Iowa, I’ve been told, is a bit of a ‘jock’ school.  This means lots of parties 

(2nd best party school in the U.S. woooo - Go Hawks) and in terms of fashion it means that 

everybody looks like they’re going to the gym, all the time.  Even when they’re not.  Yes, 

Nike trainers are the main accessory here, which, teamed with gym shorts/yoga pants and 

often a hawkeyes top makes up the university of iowa fashion (sad face).  I’m often told by 

my roommates that I’m ‘dressed up’ for university, which I reply to (in my head) with: No, I’m 

juuuust wearing normal clothes.  I have even been taken to the mall with the main objective 

of my roommates being ‘Make the Brit girl buy yoga pants and make her look normal’.  To the 

disappointment of my housemates, I’m not buying into this ‘trend’. This is still subject to 

change, though, and I may be returning to the U.K. looking like some sort of fitness freak - 

burger in one hand, energy drink in the other.  

I hope I haven’t bored you too much with some little views on Iowa.  I’m sure there will be 

much more quirks that I will bore you with.  All these differences I take with a pinch of salt 

and I’m actually finding them quite endearing! 

One more thing...Everyone has been asking me with vigour: “Can you drink?!”  Theoretically, 

no.  In reality, yes.  But only at house parties, where shots of vodka are essential (been 

killing me). It’s OK though - my 21st birthday is less than a week away, so I can be trusted 

with alcohol again soon. I can assure you that I will be ordering a HUGE glass of California 

wine - a glass that could constitute as a bowl.

Hannah x